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David Marien

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Everything posted by David Marien

  1. Interestingly, I have always been very happy with the range I get with the Zaxnet control commands from my nomad (unamplified, short stubby antenna) to my TRXs. I guess it has to do with the nature of the signal being a short discrete "word" of 1's and 0's rather than a constant transmission. It's not hundreds of meters, but it's good enough most of the time.
  2. I Agree with everything you said, and I have had a great many days when the ERX system has performed just fine. However, my overall feeling is that the ERX system was a lot of: "I hope this is going to work" instead of "I know this is going to work" that the lectro IFB is giving me. I use a all-zaxcom system for everything else and am very happy with it overall.
  3. I have used ERXs for timecode + scratch track and IFB for a few years and have recently sold them all. I believe it was a really good idea unfortunately poorly executed. Only my humble opinion but simply put, don't buy them unless you mainly do cart work. The range out of the stock nomad antenna is nothing short of unacceptable with dropouts from 5 meters in some cases. Amplifying the signal is an option and many here have done it successfully but be ready to dive into a world of prosumer/dodgy ebay seller products/custom cabling to make your IFB range acceptable. On the cart it's doable as a fixed setup. In the bag it's just a nightmare. I have swapped to lectro IFBs and after years of sweaty palms everytime I handed a client an ERX, I love them. Range is rock solid just out of a cheap old Lma transmitter I had lying around, unit is built like a tank. Just set and forget. I have 2x RX200 that I use for camera track+timecode and everyone is happy.
  4. Hi Tony, I have purchased the PSC Cart Power II last year and am very satisfied with it. It doesn't have an internal battery, which may or may not work depending on your needs. I actually find the lack of internal battery a great thing since I am free to build my own pelican SLA at a very low cost or even use any V-lock or NP1 for emergency power. It also provides redundancy with AC power just like its bigger brother. I am actually surprised not to have heard more about this great little unit. http://professionalsound.com/specs/cartPowerII.htm
  5. I have been using Cam link with rx200 for about a year now and would never go back. fully digital from the talent TX all the way to the camera tracks, the flexibility of internal powering and timecode output are a dream come true for both the cam op and I. one quirk so far, make sure to carry an analog Ta5f cable if you're working with Sony F5/F55 as the camera will give you an error message: "AES EBU is not in pro use" if the links are powered before the camera using AES inputs. Even though it is a Sony firmware issue and can be fixed in about 2 seconds by power cycling the rx200, some camera op will get kranky with you. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
  6. I have recently received 2 of the Slims to work with my TRXLA2. On the noise issue, I really can't affirm that there is more noise or less dynamic range than the 4063 in the same transmitters. Yes there undeniably is a slight but audible hiss when the levels are pushed, as far as I can tell, just as much as with the 4063. However, in a full digital environment (TRXLA-RX12-AES-Nomad), this hiss could originate from a number of factors and their combination. I am not 100% sold on the concealer tube provided with the DPA slims. Sure, it works and gave me usable results on starchy business shirts but not as good as the old poke-the-mic-behind-the-button technique. It is good when working with button/shirt colors that my mics can't match. The flat form factor makes it very friendly to use with tighter tee-shirts and women's tops. All in all, I'm happy, so are my clients and Zaxcom/DPA couple is still the best wireless sound I've ever heard.
  7. Hi Paul, I am using RG174 in the bag with PSC rf multi (zaxcom wireless). It's been working just fine for patch to receivers and very short run to my sna600 antennas. This isn't the one made by PSC (I made my own) I wouldn't use rg174 for any runs longer than a couple feet, fine for patch lengths. Hope that helps.
  8. That looks amazing. I wonder if this would work with QRX200/100 or only RX12. Can't wait to see it in action.
  9. I have certainly read the same mixed reviews about the Zax + PSC RF multi. The micplexer wasn't an option for me because I use a mix of TRXLA lower blocks and older TRX900 Block 25. I am happy to report that everything is working very well. Originally, I purchased a couple of lectros PF-25 filters as recommended by Glenn from Zaxcom on this board in case I needed to filter the wideband RF down to 1 block to avoid overloading the front end filters of the QRX200. It hasn't been necessary so far. My rig is Lectro SNa dipoles or Zax Bluefins ==> RF Multi ==> QRX200/100 I haven't been able to compare it against a Micplexer since very few soundos in Melbourne use Zaxcom wireless. However, it has definitely been a major improvement from floppy antennas alone and more than enough range for 99% of my work.
  10. Hi Steve, This may not be the answer that you are looking for, but I would recommend making your own RF cabling. All you need is some of these http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/sma-connectors/5463248/ http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/sma-connectors/7123191/ and these: http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/bnc-connectors/5463620/ http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/bnc-connectors/1123457/ I use RG174 for coax cable, it will work just fine for such short runs. You will also need a good crimp tool. Get one with interchangeable dies so that you can use it for different sizes of connectors and cables in the future. Example: http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Hand-Tools/Crimpers/Quick-Change-Ratchet-Crimp-Tool/p/TH2000 You will also need a soldering iron with a fine tip to solder the center pin on the right angle sma. RF patch cables are really not that hard to make and it very cost-effective compared to buying them pre-made, not to mention the ability to repair or make new ones on the spot. Anyway, hope that helps. Cheers, David
  11. Hi mate, I have started using the DPA4063s with DAD3057 adapters in my Zax TRXLAs and LTs about 2 months ago. I cannot tell you exactly which pin is wired to which. What I can tell you, however, is that I own 6 of them and have not experienced signal/noise, interference or range issues of any kind....and that the resulting sound is hard to beat. Hope that helps. Cheers,
  12. Been using MKH50 with TRX742 at the end of the pole all week. No issues at all. My jump lead is regular Neutrik, wired pin for pin. XR modulation 25 mW. Weird.
  13. Hi Michael, I've been using tiny lockits on the back of cameras in all (Australian) weather conditions for a while now and am yet to report any issue what so ever. These things are little tanks. I always keep them in the pouch and they go under the camera rain cover when it rains. Same goes for the Lockit slate, never had an hint of a problem.
  14. Hey Christian, fantastic work. I wouldn't mind a couple more details pictures of your wheels axles and brackets if possible. I've been planning a similar build and looking for inspiration. Thanks in advance.
  15. Was it routing mistake on the nomad ? Could you elaborate in case that happens to us ? Thanks
  16. I called and bought some directly (+33(0) 950 911 805 ) , excellent friendly service. I speak French though but I'm sure they have English speaking staff. When I called I got the feeling that it's a very small company. I wouldn't be surprised if the person taking phone orders is also the lead engineer. Kinda makes me like them a little more.
  17. Spray your windshield with decomposed body extract. Works every time.
  18. http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/25430-zaxcom-trx-742-case/
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_antenna#Impedance_of_dipoles_of_various_lengths Look at the diagrams next to 1.1 - Dipole Characteristics The only question I have is: Since the shield runs back down the cable inside the sleeve anyway, could we not just cut it off entirely above where we stripped the cable ? Or maybe there needs to be a physical separation to produce the oscillating currents. Who knows ? (many educated people probably do, just not me)
  20. I use this bracket from IDX when I need to rig Zaxcom links + Lockit box (will never need to do this again with my RX200 in the mail !) http://idxtek.com/products/mwr/ It has the Anton Bauer D-tap out and you can slide back/remove the back plate if the AC doesn't like it. Great product but not cheap.
  21. That DIY dipole looks like it would be great to run along a harness strap or up your back to your shoulders. Has anyone tried that ? I remember they was a thread going a little while ago where people were trying to rig SNA to their harness but it looked really cumbersome.
  22. Hey Pat, are you talking about this one ? http://www.hawkwoods.co.uk/Prods/Product/VL-RM8 No way that's lighter than the ambient V-slot ! And why do the cables come out on top ?
  23. Hi Mate, I use the V-slot every day with Srb links. It works perfectly and makes jumping on any ENG camera a matter of seconds. Only one problem so far: Some of the older Sony F800 have worn V-lock pins at the back. This will make the connection loose between battery/v-slot/camera and the camera will shut down if the battery is bumped/moved. Not a happy time on ENG/reality gig when that happens. This is not actually a V-slot issue but the camos will never admit to that. It seems to happen more often with camos using the big doubled-up 190Wh Batteries that would have pulled hard on the pins over time. I recommend shaking/jiggling the battery every time and check for intempestive reboots. Have a alternative rigging solution ready if it happens. In 2 years it has happened to me only a couple times so no big sweat, just something to be aware of.
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